India and Canada began the fifth round of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Ottawa on October 5, with both sides aiming to conclude a deal before the end of 2026.

The five-day talks, running through October 9, cover energy, critical minerals, aerospace and artificial intelligence as priority sectors for deeper cooperation. The fourth round concluded in New Delhi on September 18.

The new round follows talks between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting in Milwaukee.

Two-way trade in goods and services reached 30.4 billion dollars in 2025, and Canada has set a goal of doubling annual bilateral trade to 70 billion dollars by 2030.

The negotiations mark a sharp rebound from a prolonged diplomatic freeze between the two countries. Sidhu will lead a Team Canada trade mission of nearly 300 delegates to India from October 12 to 17.